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Rooms 82 Touro Street. Open Daily From 10 to 4 P. M. 




•HE Newport Historical Society was organized in 
1863 "for the purpose of collecting, publishing and 
doing whatever they may think proper that may 
tend to preserve the history of any portion of the 
United States, especially of this State." In the early 
part of its history but little was done to promote tlie objects 
of the association. Occasional meetings were held in public 
places until 1870 when permission was obtained from the di- 
. rectors of the Redwood Library to erect two cases in that 
building for their small library, and which served to contain 
all the property of the Society until 1884. 

RecoQfnizino- the fact that without a home of their own but 
little could be accomplished, an effort was made in 1884 to 
secure a building for their own use. This resulted in the 
purchase of the Seventh Day Baptist Meeting House, then 
standing on Barney Street, which was put in order, and three 
years later moved to its present location on Touro Street. 
This building was erected in 1729 by the Seventh Day Bap- 
tist Society, the earliest congregation of that denomination in 
America. It was occupied by them until about 1839, and 
later by other religious societies. The original square pews 
(of which there were fourteen on the first floor) had been re- 



moved in 1840, and modern slips introduced. The pulpit 
and sounding-board, the pulpit stairs, galleries, piers and 
panelling remain as originally built. The tablets on the 
wall were presented to the church by John Tanner and 
others in 1773. There is a tradition that when the British 
took possession of Newport in 1776, and desecrated all the 
places of worship except old Trinity and this house, by 
using them for riding schools and hospitals, this edifice was 
saved and guarded through respect for the decalogue found 
on the wall back of the pulpit. The clock, still in good or- 
der, was made in 1731, by William Claggett, a Newport 
clock maker. The bow-window on the front of the building, 
was taken from the Dr. Johnson house on Thames street. 
This window was formerly in the house of Charles Feke, 
Apothecary, built in 1794, on Washington Square. 

The expense of purchasing the building and the lot on 
which it now stands was more than the Society could meet, 
but by the generous donations of the people of Newport 
and our summer residents, more than two-thirds of the amount 
was raised, leaving a comparatively small debt for the Socie- 
ty to provide for, which it is hoped can soon be paid. 

With a home of its own the Society soon began to in- 
crease its collections and to establish a library and museum 
which has been open to the public daily (holidays and Sun- 
days excepted) since November, 1884. 

In 1891 the State of Rhode Island recognized the useful- 
ness of the Society by passing laws making it a depository 
for State publications and newspapers published in Rhode 
Island, and by making an annual appropriation for copying 
records, &c. 

In 1894 the City Council of Newport authorized the city 
clerk to deposit with the Society the early town records, 
which in 1779 were taken by the British to New York and 
returned to Newport three years later in a damaged condi- 
tion, they having been sunk in Hell Gate enroute, with the 
understanding that an effort should be made to copy all deeds 



and wills prior to 1780 that could be copied from the orig- 
inal records and other authentic sources. 

A fireproof vault has been erected for the safe keeping of 
all valuable records and manuscripts that may be donated or 
loaned to the Society. 

The Society is actively engaged in collecting for use, such 
n)aterial as will serve to illustrate the general and local his- 
tory of Newport, the State of Rhode Island, and also the his- 
tory of the United States. Commencing in a modest way, 
the Society, founded for active research, lias been forced to 
become a collector of antiquities. Its rooms today show how 
rapid has been its accumulative power. It is hoped that the 
possessors of single objects of interest, and those who have 
valuable private collections, will deposit them with the So- 
ciety for public exhibition, and, to bring about this I'esult the 
directors have an additional incentive to properly care for 
and to make the display of articles in their custody as at- 
tractive as possible. In this work the co-operation of all is 
respectfully solicited. 

That there can be established in Newport a good library 
devoted to history, genealogy and biography, and a museum 
that Avill rank with tliose in other cities, there can be no 
doubt. This can be Ijrought about by the earnest efforts of 
our people, and to them the Society looks for tlie aid neces- 
sar}'- to make our institution a success and an honor to our 
city. The claims of the Society upon the public are based 
upon the fact that it is organized for public improvement and 
instruction. All interested, at home and abroad, are invited 
to become members. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any person may become a member of the Society by the 
payment of i2.00 and a like sum annually thereafter. This 
tax is assessed at the annual meeting in March. Anj^ indi- 
vidual, on pa3anent of -150 may become a life member, and 
shall thereafter be exempt from all assessments or annual 
tax, and shall be entitled to all the privileges of active mem- 
bers. 



FUNDS. 

The Society has as yet but a small fund from which to 
draw for its work. The late Dr. David King, the first presi- 
dent of the Society, bequeathed in his will the sum of |2,000 
for a book fund, the interest of which will be available when 
the sum of -14,000 is reached, by the accumulation of divi- 
dends. This fund now amounts to $3,000. 

The late Charles H. Russell bequeathed the sum of 11,000, 
the interest to Ije used for the general purposes of the So- 
ciety. 

In 1886 the Mechanics and Manufacturers Society of 
Newport, an association organized in 1795, disbanded, its 
members became lite members of the Newport Historical So- 
ciety, and their funds amounting to -11,023 were transferred 
to this Society. 

The Permanent Fund consists of all money received on 
account of life membership and such othei' donations as may 
be made to it. It is hoped that this fund will be increased 
from time to time until the interest therefrom will be equal 
to the necessary expenses of the Society. Donations to this 
fund will be gratefully received. 

DONATIONS. 

The Society desires to receive contributions of books, 
manuscripts and newspapers for its library, and relics and 
curiosities for its museum. Donations and special deposits 
will be gratefully received and promptly acknowledged. The 
following list has been prepared of donations solicited : 

Books. — All books of whatsoever character published in 
Newport. 

All books relating to the history, biography, genealogy, 
the development, the characteristics, the manufactures, the 
commerce, and the agriculture of the cities and towns of 
Rhode Island. 

All publications of the several historical, biographical and 
genealogical Societies of the United States and Canada. 



All publications of the United States bearing upon the 
history or development of the country. 

All other publications which relate to American history — 
with a view to making our library comprehensive on all 
questions rehiting to the history of this country. 

Pamphlets. — All pamphlets which come under any of the 
al)ove descriptions of books wanted. 

All published sermons having either a local, historical or 
personal signilicance, and all historical and anniversary dis- 
courses. 

Reports of the several societies and incorporations in New- 
port. 

Newspapers. — All newspapers that have been published 
in Newport. Odd copies will be valuable in completing 
files. 

Manuscripts. — Deeds; Autograph letters; old Ledgers; 
Journals; Day Books; Letter Books, Etc. 

Maps. — All maps, both old and new, of a local or general 
character. 

Portraits and Photographs. — Portraits, busts and 
photographs of local and historical personages, Photograplis 
and drawings of the ancient houses and the memorable 
places on this Island. 

Indian Memorials. — Prehistoric and Indian remains of 
ever}^ variety and description are always valuable. 

Miscellaneous Relics. — These are the most difficult of 
any kind of gifts about which to give definite information. 
Relics or mementoes which are connected in any way with 
tlie early history of Newport, or with the personal experiences 
of its early settlers, rarely fail to have a permanent value. 
Antiquities of every description, foreign and domestic, will 
be gladly received. 

As we are making histor^^ every day it is hoped that pub- 
lishers, authors and compilers of the current pamphlet and 
book literature of the day, will form the habit of depositing 
copies of their works with our society. 



FORM FOR A DEVISE OF LAND. 

I give and devise to the Newport Historical Society, a cor- 
poration created by the General Assembly of the State of 
Rhode Island, and its assigns, [liere describe the land to be 
devised.] 



FORM FOR A BEQUEST. 

I give and bequeath to the Newport Historical Society, a 
corporation created by the General Assembly of Rhode Isl- 
and, [here state the sum of money, or describe the personal 
property to be bequeathed.] 



OFFICERS 

OF THE 

NEWPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 

ELECTED MARCH 19, 1894. 



PRESIDENT, 

HENRY E.TURNER. 

VICE PRESIDENTS, 

JOHN CONGDON, GEORGE GORDON KING. 

RECORDING SECRETARY, 

HORATIO B.WOOD. 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, 

GEORGE H. RICHARDSON. 

TREASURER, 

DANIEL B. FEARING. 
CURATOR OF MEDALS AND COINS. 

■EDWIN P. ROBINSON. 

LIBRARIAN, 

R. HAMMETT TILLEY. 



STfl^lDlJ^G COMMITTEES. 

ON BUILDING AND GROUNDS. 

GEORGE H. RICHARDSON. R. HAMMETT TILLEY. 

ON FINANCE. 

GEORGE GORDON KING, W. WATTS SHERMAN, 

DANIEL B. FEARING, R. HAMMETT TILLEY. 



MEMBERS 



OF THE 



NEWPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 



mpE |VIE|VlBEf^S. 



Allen, John B. 
Allen, William 
Belmont, Hon. Perry 
Brown, Mrs. Harold 
Brown, Mrs. John Carter 
Burdick, Hon. Charles H. 
Burlingham, Thomas 
Carr, George W. 
Caswell, Benjamin 
Caswell, William 
Clarke, Joshua P. 
Clarke, Henry Audley 
Coggeshall, Hon. Thomas 
Cottrell, Hon. James B. 
Davis, Theodore M. 
Denham, Daniel C. 
Downing, Benjamin F. 
Dunn, Thomas 
Fearing, Hon. Daniel B. 
Fitts, Daniel B. 
Foster, John 

Franklin, Hon. Robert S. 
Gibbs, Theodore K. 
Goddard, James H. 
Griswold, John N. A. 
Hunt, Miss Jane 
King, Mrs. Mary A. 
King, Hon. George Gordon 



Lee, Peter 

Marquand. Henry G. 

Marquand, Prof. Allen 

Marquand, Henry 

Mason, Miss Ellen 

Mason, Miss Ida M. 

McAdam, Samuel 

Newton, Edward 

Nichols, Thomas P. 

Patterson, Peter 

Peckham, Henry S. 

Peckham, Job A. Jr. 

Phinney, Theodore W. 

Potter, Hon. WiUiam H. 

Pratt, Mrs. E. N. 

Russell, Charles H. 

Sheffield, Hon. William P. 

Sherman, W. Watts 

Sherman, Mrs. Sophia 

Sherman, Miss Sybil K. Wetmore 

Sherman, William H. 

Simmons, Lewis L. 

Smith, Col. Howard 

Stevens, B. Hammett 

Stevens, Lysander 

Stevens, Edward 

Stoddard, Thomas D. 

Southwick, James McK. 



Swinburne, George W. 
Tompkins, Hamilton B. 
Topham, James 
Tuckerman, Joseph 
Underwood, William J. 



Vanderbilt, Cornelius 
Waldron, Benjamin 
Wales, George W. 
Weld, Mrs. William F. 
Wetmore, Hon. George Peabody 



fl^lI^UfllJ ]VIE]V[BEf^S. 



Allen, Erastus P. 
Armstrong, William A. 
Arnold, Dr. Edward S. F. 
Bailey, Miss Annie 
Bailey, Miss Josephine 
Baker, Hon. Darius 
Baker, Benjamin 
Barker, Dr. C. Frank 
Barker, Robert S. 
Barker, George C. 
Barker, Ralph R. 
Barker, Stephen P. 
Barker, Frank S. 
Barker, Alexander N. 
Berwind, Mrs. E. S. 
Berwind, John 
Betton, C. Grinnell 
Bookstaver, Hon. H. W. 
Brown, Thomas G. 
Buffuni. Hon. W^illiam P. 
Bull, Hon. Henry 
Bull, Mrs. Charles M. 
Burrows, O. Hoffman 
Burdick, Edwin S. 
Carry. Hon. John J. 
Clarke, Hon. William P. 
Coggeshall, Dr. Henry 
Congdon, John 
Cornell, Rodman 
Cotton, Capt. J. P. 
Cozzens. William C. 
Cozzens. Hon. Henry VV. 
Crosby, Hon. John H. 
Craig, Rev. J. M. 
Davis, Hon. Lucius D. 
DeBlois. Henry D. 
Dennis, William E. 
Derby, Richard C. 
Dockray, George M. 
Edds, George H. 



Ellis, John W^ 
Emmons, Arthur B. 
Fludder, William 
Franklin, William B. 
Galvin, Thomas 
Gilpin, Hon. William 
Greene, John H. 
Hall, Mrs. A. 
Hammett, Charles E. 
Hammett, James H. 
Henderson, William 
Holt, John M. 
Horton, Hon. Jere W. 
Plowland, Mrs. Joseph 
Ives, Hon. Charles Acton 
Kane, Mrs. Walter 
King, Miss Annie 
King, LeRoy 
King, William Dehon 
Lawton, George P. 
Magill, Rev. George J. 
Marin, Capt. M. C. 
Meyrowitz. Mrs. Paul 
McMahon, Col. Andrew K. 
Norman, George H. 
Pell, Mrs. Anna 
Pitman, Theophilus T. 
Pinniger, David 
Powel, Hon. John Hare 
Powel, Miss Mary E. 
Pumpelly, Prof. Raphael 
Rankin, Dr. Francis H. 
Rives, Dr. W. C. 
Richardson, George H. 
Robinson, Dr. Edwin P. 
Seabury, Hon. Thomas M. 
Sheffield, Hon. Wm. P. Jr. 
Sheldon, Frederic 
Sherman, Benjamin B. H. 
Sherman, Albert K. 



10 



Sissoii, William Scott 
Smith, Benjamin R. 
Southwick, Samuel S. 
Southwick, Mrs. Samuel S 
Squire, Dr. A. F. 
Stanhope, Clarence 
Stanton, Dr. Nathaniel G. 
Storer, Dr. Horatio R. 
Swan, James C. 
Swinburne, Harry H. 
Swinburne, William J. 
Taggart, Philip 
Taylor, Alexander O'D. 



Taylor, James P. 
Taylor, Grant P. 
Tilley, R. Hammett 
Tompkins, Frederic 
Tuckerman, Alfred 
Turner, Henry E., M. D. 
Turner, Mrs. Henry E. 
Tweedy, Edmund 
Vernon, George E. 
Ward, Hon. Henry N. 
Wetherell, Col. John H. 
Wood, Horatio B. 
Woolett, Sidney 
Woolsey, Miss T. W. 



Ambrose.Rev. Dr. John. Digby,N.S. Tilley, Sir Samuel Leonard. St. John 
Bartlett, Hon. Sidney N. B. 

Farley, Rev. F. A. Walker, Dr. Thomas. Digby N. S. 

Frazer, William Winthrop, Hon. Robert C. Boston 

(ioddard, Rev. Warren Mass. 

COF^f^ESPOflDl^lG MEMBERS. 



Baker, A. Prescott. Boston. 

Darling, Gen. C. W. Utica N. Y. 

Day, Rev. John W. 

Huling, Ray Greene. New Bedford. 

Pulsifer, David, Esq. 

Wood, Isaac F. 



Poillon, William. New York, N. Y. 

Marvin, Dr. W. T. R. Boston 

Kennedy, Prof. George T. Winsor, 
N. S. 

Perigino, Cicero. Pernambuco, Bra- 
zil. 



Gaynor, Phileas. Quebec. 



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